Linen Dress with Wood Buttons

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• Follow yardage on pattern envelope
• (6-8) 7/8" Wood Buttons
• Follow notions on pattern envelope, minus elastic
• Kraft paper
• Measuring ruler
• Pattern Simplicity 8837
• Curved ruler
• Pencil
• Thread
• Sewing Notions

DIRECTIONS:

All seams are 5/8" unless stated.
Pattern adjustments for Simplicity 8837 View B

1. The center back skirt: To remove excess fullness, fold over 2-1/2" starting from the hem line up to about the hip line. Tape down pleated pattern. Remove the Center Back seam allowance and place on the fold. Depending on the desired length add 2-1/2" to the length at the CB and adding 6" length to the side seam. The side seam curves but this dress has a straiten hemline.
2. The center front skirt: Find the center front line, Mark with pencil and measure over 1 5/8" to create overlay for button holes and buttons. Measure down 11 ?" to new hem line. Draw a line to match with the back side seam. Do not take any fullness off the front skirt.
3. No alteration is required for the back bodice.
4. Add 1 5/8" to the center front bodice starting at the waist up to the V neck. Adjustment can be made to raise or lower the v neckline at this time. Adjustment to the lining will be the same as the bodice. You can follow pattern instruction for sewing of bodice. Add a strip of fabric 2 ?" out of Kraft paper for the underlay for the skirt from the waist to hemline.
5. Mark 6 buttonholes, 2 above the waist and four or more on the lower skirt about 3 1/4" apart.
6. Belt: Measure the front finished waistline to make the raised waist band in front only. Measure and cut out of Kraft paper the length of waist plus seam allowance X 5" high.

JOANN Hacks:

• Serge or stay stitch all cut fabric edges immediate after cutting pattern pieces to stop fraying when sewing garment
• Use safety pins to mark the right side of fabric
• Instead of easing seams, use heat to lightly shrink or shape pattern pieces